‘Possession was the first book I read having completed my English degree; it was the test for whether I could ever enjoy a novel purely for its own sake ever again, and it won! Warm and witty, this ambitious, clever, huge baggy novel has multiple layers of meaning and leaves the reader speculating right until the end.’

‘I was absolutely wrapped up in this when I read it. I remember wanting to continue reading when I got off the tube at my destination, I read it walking down the street and nearly walked into a lamppost and I recommended it everyone I knew. It was quite a few years ago now but it still sticks in my mind as a favourite.’

‘Slammerkin made the dirty, dangerous, London of the past as vivid as the (dirty, dangerous...) one I walk through every day. Emma Donoghue has taught me much more history than any of my teachers ever did (sorry, Mr Heasley!).’